Old Fashioned Love (John Fahey album)

History

In a similar manner as his previous Reprise releases with accompanists, Old Fashioned Love did not sell well. For his part, Fahey remarked that he had never worked with such sympathetic, understanding musicians as he did on this release.

The front cover is a 1901 photograph of Anna Held, the wife of impresario Florenz Ziegfeld.

Woody Mann plays duets with Fahey on "In a Persian Market", "Jaya Shiva Shankarah", and "Marilyn". Guitarist Stefan Grossman responded to "The Assassination of Stephan [sic] Grossman" with his own composition, "The Assassination of John Fahey" on his album Thunder on the Run. "Dry Bones in the Valley" was shortened by one minute on subsequent CD reissues.

The 1930s title song, written by Frank Loesser and Fritz Miller, was the theme song of Fritz Miller and his Orchestra.

Critical reception

In his Allmusic review, Richard Foss states that Old Fashioned Love "is a wonderful release, a celebration of early 20th century musical styles. Every track is played with charm and wit, from the solo guitar pieces to the full orchestral works" and then later notes that it "was acclaimed by many critics but was rejected by the folk crowd that Fahey himself was coming to detest." Critic Andy Beta called it "a consistently surprising collection of Fahey's many loves" and singled out the final track for special praise as "one of his truly magical works".

Reissues

Side one

1. "In a Persian Market" (Albert Ketèlbey) – 7:41
2. "Jaya Shiva Shankara" (Traditional) – 4:59
3. "Marilyn" (Fahey) – 6:33

Side two

1. "The Assassination of Stephan Grossman" (Fahey) – 2:11
2. "Old Fashioned Love" (Frank Loesser, Fritz Miller) – 3:30
3. "Boodle Am Shake" (Jack Palmer, Spencer Williams) – 3:17
4. "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" (Fred McDowell) – 3:06
5. "Dry Bones in the Valley" (Fahey) – 8:52

Personnel

Production notes: